United CEO on transporting migrant children separated from parents: ‘We want no part of it’ – By Lauren Zumbach (chicagotribune.com) / June 20 2018
U.S. border authorities are executing the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy towards undocumented immigrants. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions also said that domestic and gang violence in immigrants’ country of origin would no longer qualify them for political-asylum status. (John Moore / Getty Images)
United Airlines and American Airlines are asking federal officials not to use their aircraft to transport children separated from their parents due to enforcement of U.S. immigration policy.
The airlines’ comments came after reports that commercial airlines had been used to transport children affected by the controversial immigration policy, which has reportedly split nearly 2,000 immigrant children from their parents. United CEO Oscar Munoz said the Chicago-based airline has not seen evidence the children have been flown on its aircraft.
“Based on our serious concerns about this policy and how it’s in deep conflict with our company’s values, we have contacted federal officials to inform them that they should not transport immigrant children on United aircraft who have been separated from their parents,” Munoz said in a statement Wednesday. “Our company’s shared purpose is to connect people and unite the world. This policy and its impact on thousands of children is in deep conflict with that mission and we want no part of it.”
Fort Worth, Texas-based American also said it had no knowledge that its aircraft had been used, but “would be extremely disappointed to learn that is the case.”
American said it provides travel services to the federal government but doesn’t receive information about the passengers or reasons for those flights.
“We have no desire to be associated with separating families, or worse, to profit from it. We have every expectation the government will comply with our request and we thank them for doing so,” American said in its statement.
The Association of Flight Attendants union, which represents United flight attendants, praised United’s and American’s stances in a message on its website. The union urged airlines to share information with flight attendants about whether children could be transported to detention centers on their flights and, if so, whether there are any special instructions for caring for them. The union also requested guidance for flight attendants on how to respond to questions from other passengers about the issue.
“We expect this issue could continue to escalate and tensions rise when passengers or crew experience even the appearance onboard of children separated from their families,” the union wrote.
Not long after, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end the practice of separating children from their parents when detained crossing the U.S. border. It was a reversal from earlier this week when, amid mounting criticism and outrage over images of children in cages at border facilities, Trump said new legislation would be required to end the practice.
United asks U.S. government not to fly separated immigrant children on our aircraft. pic.twitter.com/MPPbhO6aqV
— United Airlines (@united) June 20, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-united-airlines-migrant-children-20180620-story.html
